The first metals discovered by man were gold, copper and silver. They were used in ancient times. What are these substances? Which metal is the lightest?
Metals
For the first time, man discovered metals that are close to the earth's surface. At first it was copper, gold and silver, later tin, iron, bronze and lead joined them. With the development of mankind, the list gradually expanded. Currently, about 94 metals have been discovered.
They are simple elements that have high electrical conductivity and heat transfer, ductility, forging, have a characteristic metallic luster. In nature, they are often found in the form of various compounds and ores.
By their qualities, metals are divided into black, non-ferrous and precious. For use, they are separated from the ore, cleaning, alloying and other types of processing are carried out. Metals are part of living organisms that are present in seawater.
In our body, they are in small quantities, performing important functions for life. Copper is present in the liver, calcium in the skeleton and teeth, sodium in the cytoplasm of cells, iron is part of the blood, and magnesium is in the muscles.
Lightest metal
In the minds of many people, the opinion of metals as strong, solid and heavy substances has become entrenched. Some of them are completely unsuitable for the subject description. There are a number of metals that have low strength and extreme lightness for these elements. They can even swim on the surface of the water.
The lightest metal in the world is lithium. At room temperature, its density is the lowest. It is twice as inferior to water and is 0.533 grams per cubic centimeter. Due to its low density, it floats in water and kerosene.
Lithium is found in sea water and the upper continental crust. In large quantities, the lightest metal is present in the stellar object of Torn-Zhitkov, which consists of a supergiant and a red giant.
Under normal conditions, lithium is a ductile malleable silver metal, so soft that it can be cut with a knife. It melts at a temperature of 181 degrees Celsius. It is toxic and actively interacts with the environment, therefore it is not used in its pure form.
Aluminum
After lithium, the lightest metal is aluminum, and it is also very durable. Due to its active use in various fields, he earned the title of "metal of the XX century." In the crust of our planet, it is the third most abundant element and the first among metals.
Aluminum has a silver-white color, has high ductility, heat and electrical conductivity. Able to form alloys with almost any metal. Most often used with magnesium and copper. Many of its alloys are stronger than steel.
Aluminum is slightly susceptible to corrosion damage due to the formation of oxide films. It boils at a temperature of 2500 degrees Celsius. It is a weak paramagnet. In nature, metal is contained in the form of compounds; its nuggets are extremely rare in the vents of some volcanoes.
Lighter than lung
Microlattis is the lightest metal obtained artificially. It consists of 99.99% air and is much lighter than foam. Metal was created by scientists at the University of California, in 2016 it was officially recognized and was listed in the Book of Records.
The secret of unusual lightness lies in its structure, resembling the bones of living organisms. Metal is a cell that is made of nickel-phosphorus tubes. They are empty inside, and their thickness is several times inferior to human hair.
Despite its lightness, microlattis is able to withstand large loads no worse than natural metals. Such properties can be widely used, one of them is the creation of artificial lungs.